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Tribal advocates keep up legal pressure for fair political maps; 12-member jury sworn in for Trump's historic criminal trial; Healthcare decision planning important for CT residents; Debt dilemma poll: Hoosiers wrestle with college costs.

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Civil Rights activists say a court ruling could end the right to protest in three southern states, a federal judge lets January 6th lawsuits proceed against former President Trump and police arrest dozens at a Columbia University Gaza protest.

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Rural Wyoming needs more vocational teachers to sustain its workforce pipeline, Ohio environmental advocates fear harm from a proposal to open 40-thousand forest acres to fracking and rural communities build bike trail systems to promote nature, boost the economy.

MT Public Employees Highlight Critical Role of Unions

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Tuesday, February 23, 2021   

HELENA, Mont. -- Public employees are letting Montana lawmakers know the importance of their jobs and unions.

Legislators have targeted unions with several measures, including a bill prohibiting the automatic deduction of dues from employees' paychecks.

Michelle Wheat, engineering training coordinator at the Montana Department of Transportation, explained the union's goals.

"Whether it be our construction crews or our snowplow drivers, unions make sure that we have a voice at the table and we can ensure that we keep our jobs and keep our full-time employee numbers," Wheat stated.

Lawmakers also have introduced Senate Bill 228, which would bar public employees from rejoining a union for a year if they drop out. It's scheduled for a public hearing on Wednesday.

Supporters of these measures say they reduce restrictions on workers.

Wheat noted it would affect employees who do critical work in the state.

"The most important thing the Department of Transportation does is ensure that our roads and bridges are safe for the traveling public," Wheat asserted. "So, ensuring that our roads meet design standards that prove to be safe and effective, making sure pavement is at a standard that is good for drivers."

Elena Evans, hydrogeologist for the Missoula Valley Water Quality District, said she's a proud union member because it gives her and other employees a seat at the table.

Evans makes sure water is safe to drink, and she gave another example of the crucial work she does for Montanans.

"If a truck slides off into the river, then I get called out to make sure that's cleaned up appropriately so that it doesn't harm our streams and rivers," Evans concluded.


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